    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [December 8, 2004]
    [Pages 3057-3058]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Passage of the ``Intelligence Reform and
    Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004''
    December 8, 2004

        I commend the Congress for passing historic legislation that will
    better protect the American people and help defend against ongoing
    terrorist threats.
        We already have taken numerous steps to improve our intelligence
    capabilities, and the ``Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act
    of 2004'' further strengthens intelligence gathering and operations. The
    legislation includes important reforms, such as creating a strong
    Director of National Intelligence with full budget authority to
    integrate and manage the foreign and domestic activities of the
    intelligence community. In addition, the law will further enhance the
    National Counterterrorism Center, established earlier this year and
    tasked with ensuring a unified effort across the Government for
    counterterrorism activities. It will also preserve the chain of command
    in our Cabinet departments and agencies and the military by respecting
    the clear lines of authority within the executive branch.
        We remain a nation at war, and intelligence is our first line of
    defense against the terrorists who seek to do us harm. I am pleased the
    measure also contains many

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    critical law enforcement tools that I have called for that will help
    make America more secure. I look forward to signing this landmark piece
    of legislation into law.

    Note: The statement referred to S. 2845.